The Saxons are, of course, the basis of the Scottish as of the English people. The difference between them cannot be fully accounted for by difference in origin, or a different degree of intermixture of the elements from which they each originated. We must take account of the difference in soil, climate and religion. The Scot struggles with an unkindly soil, a cold and moist cli mate; he is formed by nature to endurance, activity, and self-help. While the substantial and practical Saxon character belongs to both, in the Scot it carries with it a more active energy.